Skip to main content
See All

Improving our children and staff's wellbeing outdoors

AW No comments North Coast
WKEYC Garden
WKEYC Garden

Summary

We are a third sector Early Years Centre based in West Kilbride with access to a large garden and forest area. Our aim is to get our children outside as much as possible in the nursery day. This has proved to greatly enhance their mental and physical wellbeing but it can mean that we are out in all weathers given the Scottish climate. We are looking to try to make our children and staff as comfortable as possible whilst outside so that passing showers or the colder weather is easier to brave.

Description

We spend a significant amount of the nursery day in our outdoor garden and forest area.  We are focussed on giving our children the best experience at our nursery and so the skill sets the children develop outside and the opportunities for different ways to play here are a large part of their learning at WKEYC.  Being able to use our outdoor space so well, builds the children's confidence and resilience to playing outside in all weathers.  In order to provide this we always consider both the children and staff's well being and how best to cater for their comfort.  

Therefore we are asking for some smaller items that will make a big difference to their time in the garden.  We are hoping for mobile hand wash stations for warm handwashing outside which is key to children's health and wellbeing; tarpaulins for shelter and ground cover with a tougher tarpolin required as this needs to be robust enough in the stormier weather;  facilities for hot drinks for staff and children to allow them to cintinue for longer outside and feel happier doing so; hand and feet warmers for staff (children are catered for already) and portable seating for staff to take five minutes whilst out in the garden - the children have these facilities in their log chairs. 

Although small these items will have a direct impact on everyone's mental and physical health.  Staff will feel valued and appreciated in their workplace as we try our best to keep them warm and dry and everyone will benefit from being outdoors, learning in a different environment.  This is proven to aid in their overall health and promote other ways to learn.  In some cases, this will also provide an element of play they may not receive at home promoting equal opportunites for our children.

Below are the items we would love to be able to provide for our  children and staff. 

Insulated Mobile Hand wash station x 3 (£204) = £612

Tarpaulin (3m x 4m) for groundsheet = £11.99

Tarpaulin (waterproof and storm proof) for shelter = £75.36

Travel Chairs x 4 (£10) = £40

Hot drink dispenser x 3 (£24.99) = £74.97

Travel mugs for staff x 8 (£9.88) = £79.04

Warm insoles for wellies ( £5.98 for 2 pairs) = £23.92

Hand warmers (40 pk) = £26.49

Total £943.77

There is a document attached with the links to the products we are looking at. As these are live links prices may have varied (especially on Amazon) from when we have looked at these - we will endeavour to purchase as close to these prices as possible. 

 

 

Information

Location Map

  • Published 2025-06-26

    Status changed to
    Project complete

    WK Early Years.JPG

    Project update: "We had hoped to have more photos but have missed our opportunities with the canopy given the better weather as this goes up and down dependant on when needed Unfortunately when we first presented the hot drink facilities we had this beautifully presented and had wellbeing bags for the staff with their cups and tea bags etc but forgot to take pictures so you have the more day to day version of this from today."